Mt. Zion Loop

I've hiked to Mt.Wilson a couple of times via the Sturtevant trail, and passed a trail to "Mt. Zion" on the way there, so I was curious to see what was up there. I hiked up the trail to Spruce Grove Campground, then instead of continuing on the trail up to Mt. Wilson just past there, I followed the trail to the top of Mt. Zion. It was kind of a "meh" hike, the view would have been pretty nice if not for the heavy layer of smog hanging over LA. There is not much there at the Mt. Zion summit, it's just a small clearing, nowhere to sit and no shade. All the peaks surrounding are taller so it's kind of an underwhelming view. Mt. Wilson is visible a few peaks over, with a couple of the telescope buildings visible from Mt. Zion. I did the loop, so instead of heading back down the way I came up, I followed the trail down the other side. It was hot because of the mountain is completely exposed to the sun with little to no shade from the summit to the junction with Winter Creek Trail. I enjoy most of the hiking out of Chantry Flats, but the Mt. Zion trail is probably one I won't feel the need to do again, especially with so many other good trails to hike out there.

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Mt. Zion Loop

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MaryAnne Pena

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I've hiked to Mt.Wilson a couple of times via the Sturtevant trail, and passed a trail to &quot;Mt. Zion&quot; on the way there, so I was curious to see what was up there. I hiked up the trail to Spruce Grove Campground, then instead of continuing on the trail up to Mt. Wilson just past there, I followed the trail to the top of Mt. Zion. It was kind of a &quot;meh&quot; hike, the view would have been pretty nice if not for the heavy layer of smog hanging over LA. There is not much there at the Mt. Zion summit, it's just a small clearing, nowhere to sit and no shade. All the peaks surrounding are taller so it's kind of an underwhelming view. Mt. Wilson is visible a few peaks over, with a couple of the telescope buildings visible from Mt. Zion. I did the loop, so instead of heading back down the way I came up, I followed the trail down the other side. It was hot because of the mountain is completely exposed to the sun with little to no shade from the summit to the junction with Winter Creek Trail. I enjoy most of the hiking out of Chantry Flats, but the Mt. Zion trail is probably one I won't feel the need to do again, especially with so many other good trails to hike out there.